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Call our expert team at 780-463-4892, we would love to help answer your questions and find
or email us at info@aqoutdoors.com
Call our expert team at 780-463-4892, we would love to help answer your questions and find
Lift-assist rack for kayaks handles up to 40 lbs of the weight so you can load and unload even on your own.
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Hi, I'm Brian, the store manager of AQ Outdoors and Roof Racks Calgary. I've been a paddler and a roof rack rack installer for quite a while now. Today we're gonna look at the Thule Hullavator boat rack.
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The main benefit of the Thule Hullavator is that it allows a single person to load a kayak on the roof of a vehicle by themselves, even if they have physical limitations.
It has a hydraulic lift which provides a 40lb lift assist, avoiding awkward situations of lifting, twisting, and overall basically strain on the body.
The Thule Hullavator eliminates the need for lifting a boat above your head you can do all your loading and tying down at hip level. From there, the Hullavator, using its hydraulic assist, easily lifts the boat onto the roof for you.
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The thing I like most about the Thule Hullavator is that it makes loading your kayak accessible.
If you have limited mobility or you don't have the strength to lift a heavier boat on the roof, it gives you the ability to get out there and have access to that water. Some feedback we've gotten on the Hullavator is that it's really nice for offloading and unloading, particularly after a long day of paddling.
It's also really handy if you've got a tall vehicle with a roof that is barely within reach.
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This biggest consideration is price. You're looking at about $1000/boat. So it's a bit price restrictive, but in some ways worth it for accessibility.
Second consideration would be bars. The Hullavator will not go on your factory stockbar you get from your manufacturer. You need something like a Thule wing bar, which will overhang the car by about 4-6" �.
You need this extra clearance so your Hullavator doesn't hit your side view mirrors and gives you lots of clearance for your vehicle. Lastly, the size and the height of the Hullavator can be a bit restrictive, making underground parkades and garages difficult to access.
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The bulk of the elevator is removable from your roof rack, leaving a small metal arm in its place. You can take it on and off. It might take a few minutes, and can be finicky at times, but is totally doable.
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In summary, the Thule Hullavator is a great load assist kayak rack.
It allows you to get that boat on your roof safely and easily by yourself. It also reduces strain on the body, particularly at the end of a long day of paddling.
If you have any more questions about the Thule Hullavator, feel free to contact us or visit us in store!
| Load capacity | 34 kg |
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| Dimensions | 89.7 x 15.2 x 42.3 cm |
| Rubber cover for strap buckle | Yes |
| Length of straps | 2x9.5' |
| Lockable | Yes |
| One Key System compatible | Yes |
| Fits Thule AeroBlade Edge | No |
|---|---|
| Fits Thule AeroBlade | Yes |
| Fits Thule SquareBar | Yes |
| Fits Thule Xsporter Pro | Yes |
| Model number | 898 |
★★★★★Gregory OsmondWow! Great service today as the educated and patient staff walked me through many of the Thule cargo box options. Then they helped me install it and it works great. Incredible service from start to finish and I appreciated the zero-pressure environment. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Justin LeeKaelen was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and kind with helping us out with picking out a roof rack. She even helped with taking the time to efficiently set up the racks for us which was really helpful. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Peter DawsonExcellent experience from start to finish. After a negative experience with a competitor, Sam ordered my Thule caprock and snowpack ski racks which were received and installed within one week. Great customer experience - highly recommend.
★★★★★Daunalee ZentnerExcellent experience!! We called the store and they answered right away, which was awesome. Ordered a Thule bike rack. The gal on phone said she would ordered it and it came the next day which was a pleasant surprise. Staff was professional and friendly! They will be getting all of our business going forward!
